rein

American  

[reyn] / reɪn /

noun

1. Often a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.

2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.

3. any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.

4. reins, the controlling or directing power.

   the reins of government.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.

2. to curb; restrain; control.

   Synonyms:

   limit, bridle, check

verb (used without object)

1. to obey the reins.

   a horse that reins well.

2. to rein a horse or other animal.

idioms

1. give rein to, to give complete freedom to; indulge freely: Also give free rein to, give full rein to.

   to give rein to one's imagination.

2. draw rein, to curtail one's speed or progress; halt.

   The rider saw the snake and drew rein sharply.

rein British  

/ reɪn /

noun

1. (often plural) one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer

2. a similar device used to control a very young child

3. any form or means of control

   to take up the reins of government

4. the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left ( or right ) rein , change the rein )

5. something that restrains, controls, or guides

6. to allow considerable freedom; remove restraints

7. to control carefully; limit

   we have to keep a tight rein on expenditure

8. with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained

9. to take up the reins so that the distance between hand and bit is lessened, in order that the horse may be more collected

---

verb

1. (tr) to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins

2. to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins

   they reined left

rein More Idioms  

1. see draw in the reins; free hand (rein) tight rein on.

---

Other Word Forms

• reinless adjective
• unreined adjective

Etymology

Origin of rein

1300–50; (noun) Middle English rene, reine, raine < Old French re ( s ) ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, noun derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) Middle English rainen, reinen, derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

Favreau, who joined the BBL at the age of 17, danced his last Bolero in June 2024 in Tokyo, just before taking over the reins of the company, aged 47.

From Barron's

United have been transformed since former midfielder Carrick took the reins, but lacked rhythm as both sides played for the first time in 13 days.

From Barron's

Most public districts don’t allow students to repeat grades just to gain an athletic edge, and some states have taken further steps to rein in the practice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Presidents Gerald Ford and his successor Jimmy Carter took up the mantle of reform, instituting new norms and rules designed to rein in an out-of-control presidency.

From Salon

Born in 1827, Stanley was the eldest of 10 children given free rein to develop their own thoughts and beliefs.

From BBC

Related Words

• curb
• repress
• restrict
• suppress